The Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE) international technical conference, ASPECT, was held in Melbourne last month. 

The conference is held every two years at locations around the world and delivered 52 technical papers from global industry experts on the theme of Global Integration.  

It also featured several workshop sessions on the fields of train control, railway communications and related disciplines, with the sessions on artificial intelligence in train operations and discussions on automation and innovation in the rail industry particular highlights.

People and skills took centre-stage in a technical forum, with key issues addressed including the need for new talent, the industry’s response to the looming retirement cliff, and the essential call for more women in the industry. Other topics included rail investment, interface management, asset management and sustainability.